The Moon in Deep Winter

by: Lee Polevoi

Published by: Casagrande Press

Reviewed by Leslie Granier

Parker Sloane left home five years ago. After running into trouble on the road, he decides to go back to his family’s secluded home in New England. Upon his arrival he realizes that while the physical aspects of the home, such as the furniture and flower vases have not changed, the people are even more dysfunctional than he remembers. When asked about what he’s been doing the past five years, Parker makes up a story to make himself look good in their eyes. He then decides to take it upon himself to try to help his family become closer.

The author uses a variety of methods to tell this story. Although most of the story is told in the present, he inserts flashbacks from when Parker was away to explain how he got into trouble. He also uses something that seemed like the characters were hallucinating or perhaps it was wishful thinking on their parts. I found this very confusing because some events would seem real but the next thing I knew it was as if they had never happened.

In the beginning, I thought this book had great potential, but it never reached it. The characters were cold and detached. Each of them spent so much time trying to find a way to leave their home, but they were unable to do what needed to be done to accomplish the goal. There was finally some action in the last two chapters as the story wound down, but plodding through the rest of the book was difficult for me.

The Moon in Deep Winter is considered a dark comedy. It was definitely dark but the comedy completely eluded me. Those who enjoy such a genre may appreciate this book, but I was disappointed by the slow pace. The author did a good job of describing the action and the scenery, but overall the content of the story was lacking.

Armchair Interviews says: This is another example of a book from a small press that has potential–but disappoints in the end.